Last week we discussed how to know if a vehicle is equipped with a premium factory amplified sound system; a question that arises on a daily basis. Since it is such an important part of aftermarket radio installation, we believe it is also important to understand what it means to have a premium amplified sound system. Before even starting a search for installation products, knowing if your system is factory amplified will help to narrow the available options for radio wiring. From time to time, there will be vehicles that use the same wiring for both non-amplified and amplified systems, but the majority of vehicles have different wiring.
Having a non-amplified sound system doesn't actually mean that there is no amplifier present in the vehicle; it really means that the amplifier is built-in the factory radio. So when you hear sound, it is the built-in amplifier in the factory radio that is driving the speakers to make that sound. In amplified sound systems, a separate amplifier or subwoofer will be present somewhere in the vehicle. These amplifiers and subwoofers can be found underneath seats, in the trunk, behind the dash, etc. and their main purpose is to intensify the sound coming from the speakers...amping up the sound! In this case, when you hear sound, it is the separate amplifier that is driving the speakers to produce that sound. If the vehicle has an amplified system, it is going to have one of the following: 1) analog amplifier, 2) digital amplifier, or 3) fiber optic amplifier. Let's talk about the difference... Analog amplifiers input low-current signals and output more intensified sound of the same signal. These amplified systems require pretty basic wiring that includes RCA connections in order to retain the amplifier and produce sound through the speakers. With these RCA connections comes the potential necessity for a LOC (Line Output Converter), but we'll talk more about that at another time. Digital amplifiers take the incoming signal and convert it to a digital signal. These amplified systems require the use of wiring that includes a data interface in order to digitally convert the signal. They are more expensive than the wiring for the analog amplified systems because of the electronic data interface. Fiber optic amplifiers, the most complex of all, carry the signal by using light that is produced by tiny lasers in the wiring. There is no need for electronic conversion with fiber optics like there is with the digital amplifier, but an interface is often a part of the wiring necessary for installation. Fiber optic amplifiers are common among luxury vehicles such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Land Rover, and Porsche, among others. They are almost never seen in standard makes. Does your vehicle come equipped with a premium factory amplified sound system? If so, then you'll need specific wiring for your aftermarket radio installation. The good thing is that now you know the different types of amplifiers and the wiring required for them. The even better thing is that you can visit Spiral Audio and find all of the wiring solutions for your vehicle!
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